© 2001 Heron Publishing—Victoria, Canada
Growth, leaf morphology, water use and tissue water relations of Eucalyptus globulus clones in response to water deficit
Pilar Pita (1) and José A. Pardos (1)
1. Unidad de Anatomía, Fisiología y Genética Forestal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes, Ciudad Universitaria,
28040 Madrid, Spain / Received May 15, 2000
Summary
Changes in leaf size, specific leaf area (SLA), transpiration and tissue water relations were studied in leaves of rooted
cuttings of selected clones of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. subjected to well-watered or drought conditions in a greenhouse. Significant differences between clones were found
in leaf expansion and transpiration. There was a significant clone × treatment interaction on SLA. Water stress significantly
reduced osmotic potential at the turgor loss point (Π0) and at full turgor (Π100), and significantly increased relative water content at the turgor loss point and maximum bulk elastic modulus. Differences
in tissue water relations between clones were significant only in the mild drought treatment. Among clones in the drought
treatments, the highest leaf expansion and the highest increase in transpiration during the experiment were measured in those
clones that showed an early and large decrease in Π0 and Π100.
Keywords:
bulk elastic modulus, drought, leaf size, osmotic potential, productivity, relative water content, specific leaf area, transpiration,
turgor maintenance.
